Singapore to amend its law on transboundary haze

SINGAPORE - Singapore will introduce amendments to its transboundary haze legislation to empower the government in its investigations into business practices that cause air pollution, Environment Minister Grace Fu said on Wednesday.

“Following the recent haze episode, it is clear that the status quo is no longer tenable,” Fu said.

Among the changes to the law, the government will be empowered to appoint private sector assessors to investigate companies with suspected links to haze pollution in Singapore.

Companies found guilty of contributing to the haze may also be fined up to S$1 million per day, up to a maximum fine of S$20 million.

Under current rules, companies guilty of contributing to haze pollution can be fined up to S$100,000 ($78,200) a day, capped at S$2 million.

The amendmentswill allow the government to prevent other companies from working with those suspected of contributing to haze, with fines of up to S$1 million for each offence and another S$100,000 for each day they continue to break the rules.

"We need better ways to obtain and verify information, trace corporate relationships and impose meaningful consequences on errant entities, even where criminal prosecution proves difficult," Fu said.

The city-state has already issued notices to 10 ⁠Singapore-registered companies seeking information on their operations and potential links to the haze.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore has also warned that banks should impose conditions and even end relationships with companies that may have breached environmental laws.

On Tuesday, Singapore said it would work with ASEAN member states to strengthen the implementation of an agreement on transboundary ​haze when it chairs the regional bloc next ‌year.

- Yong Jun Yuan; Editing by Martin Petty and David Stanway/ Reuters